kayaking

We did it! We did an overnighter with the kayaks.. on Jaspers beautiful, pristine Maligne lake. It was a challenge--I wish we'd had more time. Apparently you need to book campsites in January to get what you want. But we paddled out on the Sunday, was nicely sunny but windy, so a hard paddle for the first half. We stopped for lunch and a break at 4 mile point(gotta love woodland thrones..no tp and no walls), and the wind settled down nicely so we enjoyed the second half of the trip. After we got all set up in camp and had supper, the lake was like glass, so we went out and paddled a bit further, around Spirit Island (not so much an island when the waters so low...) The glaciers were so cool! The next day it rained on us at least half the way back...but the lake was still so calm it made for easy paddling. Two days of paddling and believe me my shoulders, hips and wrists were calling me some rather rude names. Totally worth it though. We plan to do it again, but with more time next time. The fun part was our kayaks aren't touring kayaks, they're play boats, so we had to really pack light to make them work for this trip. But we made it work! Next time though, I want a real pillow. And some day a touring kayak with a better spray skirt that doesn't continuously drip water on my lap. The best part was the time spent in the mountains. The rhythm of the strokes, the way it keeps you in the moment. I've been reading some of Thich Nhat Hanh and he really focuses on mindfulness and being present in the moment. It was a perfect place and time to practice that, to unravel thoughts, feelings and emotions that get all jumbled up and stuffed in a back closet when I'm busy. Next year...double the time!